The 16U Santa Monica Patriots, a local softball team made up of girls aged 15-17, placed first in their District championship two weeks ago in Downey. Last weekend they placed 5th in the State tournament in Lancaster.

This earned them a spot in the ASA Western National Softball Tournament to be held in Gillette, Wyoming from July 30 to August 3.

“This is an amazing group of young ladies,” said the team’s head coach Antonio Temblador Jr. “I had the honor of coaching five of these players a few years ago when they were a 12U Santa Monica team, and they went all the way to Nationals that year too, finishing 9th out of 49 teams in the National competition. Watching this group come together and accomplish what they have speaks volumes about their dedication, work ethic, character, and love for the sport.”